Brainstorming for Essay #2

(In-Class Notes)

1.) Handed out Essay #2 assignment sheet -- read some parts and discussed what they meant.

2.) Class Brainstorming Notes -- we wrote these on the board.

Some of Ehrenreich's "Good" Decisions and Choices:

Having a car -- p. 5, 122

Goes to a charitable agency -- p. ___

Did get a job, actually two jobs, quickly -- p. ___

Applied at a lot of places just in case -- p. ___

Started looking for work the day after she arrived -- p. ___

Stayed with friends at first to save a bit of money -- p. ___

Calls Caroline -- p. 130 -- Caroline becomes a friend and a resource

Some of Ehrenreich's "Bad" or "Poor" Decisions:

Refuses to live with Caroline -- p. 171

Choosing Wal-mart ($7/hour) instead of Menards ($10/hour)

Renting the car -- high gas prices / bus is cheaper / she hates highway driving

Didn't focus on one area to work and live in

Didn't take the apartment for $144/week -- p. 139

Stayed closer into the city rather than out in the cheaper (?) suburbs

Turned down a dorm room -- pp. 170-171

Some of Ehrenreich's Problems and Solutions and Our Suggestions:

Problem #1 = finding an apartment

Her Solution = looked mainly in white/yellow pages and ads

Our Suggestions =

• Should have gotten a roommate -- see p. 130

• Should have looked for other housing resources

• Should have put up a flyer at a church

• Should have asked coworkers for advice

• Should have looked in the cheaper (?) suburbs

• Should have looked at the U of M

Problem #2 = Eating / Food

Her Solution = Eating out / eating one-time meals / no refrigerator

Our Suggestions =

• Look at garage sales for small refrigerators and microwaves

• Buy a cooler and buy ice every other day or so to keep better food cold

• Does Wal-mart's break room have a refrigerator and/or a microwave?

Problem #3 = Security for laptop computer

Her solution = ? = leave it in car (too hot) or leave it in room (too unsafe)

Our Suggestions = ?